Two labyrinth designs are featured in the Be the Salt of the Earth Mindful Moment Labyrinth Walk video. First the Be the Salt of the Earth Possibilities labyrinth appears etched on the earth. However, it is quickly followed by the Be the Salt of the Earth Challenges labyrinth symbolizing all the challenges of our current moment related to issues of justice, the environment, and Covid-19. Once you reach the center of the Be the Salt Challenges labyrinth another labyrinth appears. The Be the Salt Possibilities labyrinth reappears as a reminder that we are the “salt” of the earth and hold the current possibilities of this moment in our hands. It is up to us to “flavor” the world with goodness, honesty, and reliability. As the journey ends your feet end up at the words from Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth.” Continue walking and be the salt of the earth here and now.
 
THE BACKSTORY
 
Historically, to be called the salt of the earth is a huge compliment, individually and/or for groups. It means you are honest, loyal, reliable, trustworthy, and exude fundamental goodness. You flavor the world with goodness and honesty simply through your example of loving kindness. Become the salt of the earth here and now. Digitally “walk” the Be the Salt of the Earth Mindful Moment Digital Labyrinth Walk. Center yourself (carve out 2 minutes of your time for you). Watch the video and ‘walk’ the labyrinths as you contemplate how you can be the salt of the earth deep within and in all your relationships – here and now.
 
AN INTEGRATIVE CONTEMPLATIVE EXPERIENCE
 
The Be the Salt of the Earth Mindful Moment Digital Labyrinth Walk video offers an integrative mindful approach of contemplative self-care for this contemporary moment. The integrated contemplative experience features contemplative practices that have been developed over the past few thousand years. These include…
 
Experience several contemplative generative practices. Take this moment to pray about becoming the salt of the earth. Recite the loving-kindness meditation known through the scripture verse from Matthew 5.13: “You are the salt of the earth.” Enjoy the historic generative practices of: Lectio Divina (reading the sacred in the words of Matthew 5.13); Musica Divina (hearing the sacred in the sound of the music selected for this journey); Visio Divina (experiencing the sacred in art through the digital artwork of the labyrinth video), and Expressiva Divina (experience the sacred through contemplative movement, the labyrinth walk).
 
Experience the contemplative stillness practice of quieting and clearing the mind. Carve out a few minutes for you. Clear the mind. Center yourself in this contemplative moment and enjoy the labyrinth walk.
 
Experience the contemplative activist practice of bearing witness to life. Contemplate how you can be the salt of the earth and then share it – consider sharing the Be the Salt of the Earth Mindful Moment Labyrinth Walk video with others.
 
Experience the contemplative movement practice of labyrinth walking. Immerse yourself into the design and walk meditatively. Imagine how you have walked and plan to walk through the realities of life represented by the symbolism within the labyrinth designs.
 
Experience the contemplative creation process by listening to the contemplative music within the Be the Salt of the Earth Mindful Moment Labyrinth Walk video. Join along as you chant mentally or out loud: “I am the salt of the earth.”
 
Experience the contemplative relational practices of dialogue. Listen deeply to the Spirit as you ‘walk’ the labyrinth designs. Imagine the stories of your life in relation to being the salt of the earth for yourself and others. Journal your discoveries.
 
Experience the contemplative ritual/cyclical practice of vision quest. Create your own sacred space by opening yourself and participating with the Spirit deeply through the Be the Salt of the Earth Mindful Moment Labyrinth Walk video. Remember it is your journey, you can stop and advance the video as you desire in order to take additional time to pray, reflect, contemplate, and imagine possibilities.
 
Learn more about all our Contemplative Self-Care Tools and Practices at CenterToAwakenKindness.com
 
Be the Salt of the Earth labyrinths and Mindful Moment Labyrinth Walk video created by Bill Ressl at the Center to Awaken Kindness.
 
Scripture from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible with fair use (gratis) permission: New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Music by Michael Kobrin, Decision https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-under-pressure-michael-kobrin-105bpm-3781/
 
The Be the Salt of the Earth Labyrinths include photography from the following artists. We thank the following artists for their work:
 
Min An, Person Holding Green Grains https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-green-grains-1230157/
 
CDC, Coronavirus, https://www.pexels.com/photo/coronavirus-3992933/
 
Gustavo Fring, Shabby teddy bear in medical mask sitting on pavement against blurred mom and kid in park, https://www.pexels.com/photo/shabby-teddy-bear-in-medical-mask-sitting-on-pavement-against-blurred-mom-and-kid-in-park-4000604/
 
James Gathany photo credit, CDC-Judy Schmidt Content Provider, Public Health Image Library, ID 9415, intramuscular injection, https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=9415
 
Josh Hild, People Protesting on a Street https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-protesting-on-a-street-4508669/
 
Chris LeBoutillier, Photography of Factory, https://www.pexels.com/photo/photography-of-factory-929385/
 
Felix Mittermeier, Blue Universe https://www.pexels.com/photo/blue-universe-956981/
 
Andrea Piacquadio, Man in Black Suit Jacket Standing Near Railings
 https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-black-suit-jacket-standing-near-railings-3778876/
 
Pixabay, Planet Earth https://www.pexels.com/photo/planet-earth-87651/
 
Pixabay, Electric Towers during Golden Hour, https://www.pexels.com/photo/air-air-pollution-climate-change-dawn-221012/
 
Mathias P.R. Reding, Paris, Group of ethnic people on demonstration https://www.pexels.com/photo/group-of-ethnic-people-on-demonstration-4646867/
 
Ketut Subiyanto, Woman Wearing a Face Mask on the Subway https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-wearing-a-face-mask-on-the-subway-4429403/

Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Center to Awaken Kindness. Penny & Bill Company, Brookfield, IL USA. Aka DaRevsUSA on most social media networks.

1 Corinthians 12:12 reminds us: “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” The daily lived reality as a religious leader also reminds us that the church is an emotional family system often filled with stress, anxiety, and conflict. Learn how Bowen Family Systems Theory can help you to understand the daily systematic realities that you face as well as empower and strengthen your call to ministry along with your capacity to serve others. Join the new Bowen Family Systems Theory Educational Group for Religious Leaders from the Religious Leadership Institute at the Center to Awaken Kindness. The group is open to religious leaders and seminary students from all faith traditions, those new and those with past experiences in Bowen Family Systems Theory.

In each session we will explore theory, share through student presentations, and have ample time for dialogue. Beginning in late May 2021, we will meet on Zoom 6 times for 2 hours each, over a 6 month period.